Process for the preparation of methyl (3 - lower alkoxy - 4 - hydroxybenzyl)ketones



United States Patent N.J., assignors to Merck & Co. Inc., Rahway, N.J., a

corporation of New Jersey N0 Drawing. Filed Dec. 22, 1967', Ser. No. 692,689

' Int. Cl. C07c 49/ 76; A61k'27/00 U.S. Cl. 260--590 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A process is described for the preparation of methyl (3-lower alkoxy-4-hydroxybenzyl)ketones involving a modification of the Darzen glycidic ester synthesis characterized by the use of an acid labile blocking group for the phenolic hydroxyl, a single unit operation and concomitant high yields. The product is an important intermediate in the synthesis of a-methylB-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyDanaline, a commercial antihypertensive compound.

This application is a continuation-in-part of the applicants copending application, Ser. No. 405,591, filed Oct. 21, 1964, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a process for the preparation of substituted benzyl methyl ketones. More specifically, it relates to a processes for the preparation of methyl (3-lower alkoxy-4-hydroxybenzyl)ketones from 3-lower alkoXy-4-hydroxybenzaldehydes.

The methyl ketones which are produced in accordance with the improved process of our invention are basic intermediates in the synthesis of the valuable compound L-a-methyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. This compound has been found, through clinical testing, to be a very valuable antihypertensive agent which is prescribed extensively for patients suffering from both mild and sever forms of hypertension. It is especially useful in cases of hypertension where kidney damage has occurred and in many cases of malignant hypertension.

Thus, for example, methyl vanillyl ketone prepared in aucordance with the improved process of our invention may be converted to the valuable u-methyl-3,4-dihy-. droxyphenylalanine by syntheses outlined in Method I.

METHOD I u CH30 CHz-CCH (NHmCO; KCN HO- (1H3 CH O CH2CCIJO NH NH HO C ll 0 lHBr (EH3 HO CHz-(f-COOH NHz HO- As outlined in Method I, the methyl aryl ketone pr'oduced by the process of this invention is reacted in aqueous solution with potassium cyanide and ammonium carbonate to form the corresponding hydantoin. The hydantoin is then heated in aqueous mineral acid solu- 3,506,714 Patented Apr. 14, 1970 "ice tion to open the hydantoin ring and convert the methoxy substituent to a hydroXy substituent, resulting in the production of racemic a-methyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenalanine. The DL-racemate may then be resolved into its opticallyactive components by any conventional procedures and, in addition, the D and L isomers may be separated by seeding a supersaturated solution of the racemate with crystals of the desired, isomer. Thus, if a supersaturated solution of the racemate is seeded with crystals of the desired L-a-methyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, additional amounts of the L-isomer crystallize from solution, leaving the antipode dissolved. The crystallized L-isomer may then be separated by conventional means such as filtration.

A second and preferred method of converting the ketone of this invention to a-mehyl-B-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)alanine is as follows:

METHOD 2 t E CH O CHzOCH3 CHQO CH(]3CN i NHz HO V D,L

. racemization r resolution CHaO" OH2-(|3 C N D-isomer L-isomer NHC OR HO l D,L

(EH3 (EH3 CH30- CH2(|3CONH2 HO- CHz-(E-COOH i Nrn NH HO Hox In this method, the methyl vanillyl ketone is reacted with ammonium cyanide in a lower alkanol to form the a-aminonitrile which is then acylated by warming in an alklanoic acid anhydride to form the corresponding 0:- acylaminonitrile. At this stage, the racemic material is resolved, preferably by direct crystallization; the D-isomer is racemized and recycled; and the L-isomer is hydrolysed to a-methyLB-S,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. In this procedure the 3-lower alkoXy-4-hydroxy structure is mandatory for both the resolution and the racemization steps.

The most attractive starting material, for either process from an economic point of view, for the production of L-a-methyl-[i-B,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, an important item of commerce, is vanillin (3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde). A commercial process based on this starting material was developed and put into operation. The later steps of the second and most important process requires that the 3-loWer alkoXy and 4-hydroxy substituents on the ketone intermediate be intact. A sarch was instituted for a good method of preparing methyl 3-lower alkoxy-4-hydroxybenzyl ketone.

One method known for preparing methyl ketones from aldehydes utilizes the Darzens homologation which involves contacting an aldehyde with an ester of a halo acid in the presence of a basic catalyst to produce a glycidic ester, i.e., an o e-epoxy ester, followed by saponification of the ester, decarboxylation and simultaneous rearrangement to the desired methyl ketone. However, the Darzens glycidic ester synthesis has not been and can not be conducted on phenolic aldehydes and ketones, since the phenolic function completely inhibits the reaction whether in the free phenolic or salt form. Of course the 3 4 inhibiting properties of the phenolic group may be elimconditions of the reaction. Thus, solvents such as ethers, inated by converting it to an ether and then conducting e.g., ethyl ether, dioxane and tetrahydrofuran; lower-boilthe condensation. However such a devise suffers the proing saturated hydrocarbons, e.g., the hexanes, heptanes the condensation. However such a device suffers the proand octanes; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene,

toluene and xylene, may be employed as solvents for the condensation reaction. It is preferred to carry out the hibitive disadvantage that the simple ethers can not be cleaved to regenerate the phenolic ketone without gross damage to the ketone. reaction at a temperature about C. to 50 C. Lower However it has now been found that the Darzens glytemperatures may be employed if desired, but are becidic ester synthesis may be used to produce unusually lieved to be unnecessary in view of the excellent yields of good yields of phenolic ketones provided that the phenolic product obtained in the preferred range.

group is protected from the strongly basic reaction con- The amount of reactants employed is believed not to be ditions with an acid-labile group that can be easily recritical although at least 1 mole of the alkali metal alkmoved without damage to the product phenolic ketone. oxide and 1 mole of the halo ester per mole of the alde- It has been found that Y)- Y y hyde starting material should be employed to obtain maxgroups Such as methoXymethyloXy and y y y imum yields. We have found that optimum yields of the and the like are completely stable under the strongly basic glycidic ester are ob in d when a Sli ht exc ss over 1 conditions employed in the condensation and saponifical (approximately 30% in the a e of the ro ionate tion phase, and are quite labile under the acidic condiester d approximately 30% in the a e of an alkali tions of the rearrangement P and thus do not require metal alkoxide) is used. It is also preferred that the alkyl a separate unit operation for their r m valgroup of the pro ionate ester and the alkoxide be the In aeeel'dahee With the Present invention same. Thus, in the condensation reaction we prefer to y' y y y hehlatdehydes are eohver ted y the employ sodium methoxide as the basic condensing agent base catalyzed condensation of alkyl ot-halo propionates d h l wohloropropionato as h h l ester compo. t0 the Corresponding alkyl glycidic esters, which are then nent. The intermediate glycidic esters formed in the consubjected to alkaline hydrolysis in situ to form the corre 2 densation tio include the methyl, ethyl, ro yl, iso- Spohdihg glycidic acid- The acid is immediately hydropropyl, butyl, isobutyl and amyl esters of ot-methyl-a,fllyzed, decarboxylated and rearranged, all in situ, to the 3 -lower a1koxy-4-a1koXya1kyloxyphenyl)propi. desired methyl 3-lower alkoxy-4-hydroxybenzyl ketone in Onic acid virtually quantitative over-all yield. This synthesis is out- Another key practical f t in our oveluall process, lined in Method In which follows: apart from the novel use of the acid labile blocking group, METHOD III is the treatment of the glycidic ester which results from CH3 R30 CHO R30- -CH- C-CHa XCHCO2R2 I O M CO2R2 R-CHO (1) R-CHO wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl of from 1 to about the base catalyzed condensation of the substituted ben- 3 carbon atoms; R and R are lower alkyl of from 1 zaldehyde and the halo propionate ester. Following the to about 3 carbon atoms; R is a lower alkyl radical of condensation reaction, outlined in Method III, the glycidlc from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms; X is chloro or bromo; ester which results is treated without isolation With an and M is an alkali metal. aqueous solution of any alkali metal hydroxide such as In the first step of our improved process, the selected sodium or potassium hydroxide to form the correspond- 3-lower alkoxy-4-alkoxyalkyloxybenzaldehyde is coning glycidic acid as the corresponding alkali salt. We have tacted in solution with about 1 to 2 moles of a strong base found that the normal method of neutralizing the basic such as an alkali metal lower alkoxide, an alkali metal condensing agent with acid and isolating the formed hydroxide, or an alkali metal hydride per mole of starting glyci ic ester results in serious degradation of the ester aldehyde. Examples of bases which are operative in the and consequently in grossly lower yields of the desired process of our invention are sodium methoxide, sodium p Thus, in accordance With our improved Process, ethoxide, sodium isopropoxide, potassium isopropo id an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide is added potassium r-butoxide, potassium h d id di b directly to the reaction mixture resulting from the condendroxide, or sodium hydride. sation reaction. In accordance with a preferred embodi- To the solution is added at least an equimolar amount 0111' Process, the major P t of h inert of an alkyl ester of a-halopropionic acid at a temperature Vent h m the C t tl n reactlon mixture between about C d +100 C by distillation and then aqueous alkali metal hydroxide The propionate esters are employed in our pI'Ocis added. The hydrolys1s Of the ester t0 the COI'I'C- ess include methyl ot-chloropropionate, ethyl a-chloropro- Spohdlhg ye g 5a1t iS then accomplished y heatpionate, propyl -ehlor r i n t igopropyl hl ing the reaction mixture with the added alkali metal hypropionate, butyl a-chloropropionate, isobutyl OL-ChlOI'O- droxide to a tefhpeftallre 0f f o a out 50 C. to 100 propionate, amyl u-chloropropionate, methyl a-bromo- When y e y of the ester 15 P P e Y 1h ro i nat ethyl b r i propyl b about 30 minutes at about C., the glycidic acid salt propionate, isopropyl a-bromopropionate, butyl a-bromomay, if desired, be recovered by concentration of the repropionate, isobutyl a-bromopropionate and amyl oz-bI'O- action mixture and removal of the solvents but only with mopropionate. gross loss. Consequently, then the glycidic acid salt is used The solvent employed is one which is inert under the 75 directly without isolation in the next phase of the process.

The alkali metal salt of the glycidic acid is then in alkaline solvent directly acidified with a strong mineral acid, e.g., hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like, and maintained at a temperature of about 100 C. for approximately 30 minutes. During this period the glycidic acid is decarboxylated and rearranged and the acid labile alkoxyalkyl group is simultaneously hydrolyzed to give the desired methyl (3-lower alkoxy-4-hydroxybenzyl)ketone. The aqueous reaction mixture is then cooled and extracted with a solvent for the substitutedbenzyl methyl ketone, for example, toluene. The product is then conveniently isolated, if desired by distillation of the solvent, leaving the product as a residue in substantially pure form. The product obtained may be used directly in the synthesis of L-u-methyl- 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, as outlined in Method I.

The..phenolic ketals of this invention may be prepared by the condensation of a chloromethyl ether with the phenolate anion of the phenolic aldehydes. The anion is preparedby treatment of the phenolic compound in a lower alkanol with an alkali metal, its alkoxide or hydroxide. Since the chloromethyl ethers are unstable in the presence of hydroxylic solvents, the lower alkanol is then replaced by an inert nonhydroxylic solvent such as benzene, toluene or the like and the chloromethyl ether is added, and the mixture is reflexed for from 2 to about 6 hours. After removal of the solvent by distillation, the residual oil is allowed to crystallize, or the solution of the product before removal of the solvent can be used directly in the Darzens reaction sequence.

Another procedure employs the addition of the phenolic hydroxyl across the double bond of a lower alkyl 1- alkenyl ether, such as ethyl vinyl ether, and the like. The p-hydroxybenzaldehyde in a solvent such as benzene, toluene, or the like in the presence of a small amount of hydrochloric acid as catalyst, is treated with 1 to 2 moles of the lower alkyl l-alkenyl ether and the solvent is warmed to from 50 C. to about 80 C. for from 3 to about 6 hours. The product is then, either isolated by standard techniques such as drying, neutralizing the catalyst and distillation of the solvent, or else it is used without isolation in the Darzens synthesis.

Some of the preceding discussion and the following examples are restricted to vanillin derivatives. However, it is to be understood that the discussion and the reaction conditions of the examples apply equally well to other 3-lower alkoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehydes, intermediates and products therefrom. The restriction to vanillin is made for ease of exemplification and because of the peculiar suitability of this chemical from the viewpoint of its availability and its economic attractiveness as a starting point for large scale commercial syntheses.

EXAMPLE 1.-METHYL VANILLYL KETONE Step A.-Preparation of 3-methoxy-4-methoxymethyloxybenzaldehyde To a solution of vanillin (228 g.) in methanol (700 ml.) at 25 C. is added a solution of sodium hydroxide (60 g.) in methanol (500 ml.) over a period of 30 minutes with stirring under nitrogen. The resulting thick slurry is heated to boiling and the methanol is replaced with 2.2 l. of toluene until a total of 2 l. of distillate is collected up to a constant boiling point of 110 C.

The slurry is cooled to 25 C. and sodium carbonate (11 g.) is added with stirring. Freshly distilled chloromethyl methyl ether (120.6 g.) is added overa 1 hour at 25 C. The slurry is aged 3 hours and then refluxed (58 C.) for 3 hours. The slurry is poured into 1 l. of 6% sodium hydroxide solution, the organic phase is separated, the aqueous phase is extracted with toluene (250 ml.) and the combined organic phases can be used directly in the next step after making up to the required volume with toluene.

Alternatively the oragnic phase can be concentrated to a residual yellow oil (231 g., 79% yield based on vanillin), which after standing overnight at 5 C. the 3-methoxy 4-methoxymethyloxy benzaldehyde crystallizes. Recrystallization of 200 g. from a mixture of 150 ml. benzene and 150 ml. hexane gave pure product, M.P. 39-4l C.

Analysis Calculated for C H O (percent): C, 61.2; H, 6.12. Found (percent): C, 60.7; H, 6.31.

Step B.-Preparation of methyl vanillyl ketone To a solution of 3-methoxy-4-methoxymethyloxybenzaldehyde (22.5 g., 0.115 mole) in toluene (450 ml.) obtained from Step A at 25 C. is added 13.5 g. of sodium emulsion containing 8.28 g. (0.345 mole) of sodium hydride under nitrogen. To this slurry is added methyl u-chloropropionate (41.4 g., 0.345 g.) at 25 C. with stirring. After 2% hours of stirring the reaction mixture is diluted with methanol ml.) and 10% sodium hydroxide solution (125 ml.). The solution is heated one hour over steam and then diluted with concentrated hydrochloric acid (60 m1.) and heated a further 30 minutes over steam. After cooling, the organic layer is separated and concentrated by distillation. Fractional distillation of the residue gives 13 g. (63%) of pure methyl vanillyl ketone, B.P. 132/0.6 mm.

EXAMPLE 2.METHYL VANILLYL KETONE Step A.-Preparation of 3-methoxy-4-(l-ethoxyethyloxy)benzaldehyde Vanillin (152 g.), is added to toluene (250 ml.) with stirring. Concentrated hydrochloric acid (1.0 m1.) is added and stirring is continued for 5 minutes. To this solution is added ethyl vinyl ether (145 ml.) over 1 minute and the solution is heated with stirring to 60- 65 C. over 45 minutes, and then at 65-70 C. for 4 hours. Sodium sulfate (5.0 g.) is then added and after 15 minutes, sodium bicarbonate (5.0 g.) is added and stirring at 60 C. is continued for 15 minutes. This solution is used directly in the next step.

Step B.Preparation of methyl vanillyl ketone To the solution obtained in Step A, is added methyl a-chloropropionate (159 g.) at 50-55 C. The heat source is removed and solid sodiu'm methoxide (71 g.) is added during 60-90 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at 60 C. The mixture is then warmed to 70 C. over 3045 minutes.

The volatiles (193-203 ml.) are removed by vacuum distillation at a batch temperature of 90-95 C. A solution of 14% sodium hydroxide (363 ml.) is added with vigorous stirring the mixture is then refluxed (85-87 C.) for 1.5 hours.

Concentrated hydrochloric acid (155 ml.) is added at 85 C. over 15 minutes, and the mixture is allowed to cool at C. The aqueous layer is separated and extracted with 3x100 ml. of toluene. To the combined organic solutions is added solid sodium bicarbonate (10 g.) and after stirring for 15 minutes the mixture is filtered. Removal of the solvent by distillation provides in an inert organic solvent a compound of formula R O i CHO R-OHO- wherein R is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, and lower alkyl and R and R are lower alkyl; a second compound of formula wherein R is lower alkyl, and X is a member selected 'from the group consisting of chloro and bromo; and a heating said ester without isolation with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide to saponify said ester and produce the corresponding alkali metal salt of formula wherein M is an alkali metal cation and without isolation heating said salt with a strong mineral acid.

2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the conversion of the aldehyde to the epoxide is effected at a temperature between about 140 C. and +100 C.

3. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conversion of the a, 3-epoxy ester to a-B-epoxy acid salt is conducted at a temperature between about 25 C. and 100 C.

4. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein R is methyl, and R, R and R X and M are as defined in claim 1.

5. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein R is hydrogen, R is methyl, and R R X and M are as defined in claim 1.

6. The processes claimed in claim- 1, wherein R is hydrogen, R and R are methyl, R is ethyl, X is chloro, and M is sodium cation.

7. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein R is methyl, R is ethyl, and R R X and M are as defined in claim 1.

8. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein R and R are methyl, R and R are each ethyl, X is chloro and M is sodium cation.

9. A process for the preparation of methyl vanillyl ketone which comprises mixing in an inert organic Solvent a 3-methoxy-4-(l-lower alkoxy-lower alkyloxy) benzaldehyde, a lower alkyl a-halopropionate and a base selected from an alkali metal hydride, an alkali metal alkoxide, and an alkali metal hydroxide followed by treatment with warm aqueous alkali metal hydroxide, followed by treatment with warm concentrated mineral acid.

10. The process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the 3-lower alkoxy-4-(1-lower alkoxy-lower alkyloxy)benzaldehyde is 3-methoxy-4-methoxymethyloxybenzaldehyde.

11. The process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the 3-lower alkoxy-4-(1-lower alkoxy-lower alkyloxy)benz aldehydehyde is 3-methoxy-4-(l-ethoxyethyloxy)benzaldehyde.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 12/1942 Germany. 10/ 1950 Germany.

DANIEL D. HORWITZ, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,505,714 Dated April 14, 1970 Inventor(s) David F. Hinkley and John Budavari It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 21, .analine. should read "alanine".

Column 1, line 29, delete "a" before the word processes.

Column 1, line 38, ..sever... should read "severe".

Column 1, line 43, ...aucordance... should read "accordance".

Column 2, line 43, ...a1k1anoic... should read "alkanoic".

Column line 59, .sarch. should read "search".

Column line 4, delete line 4 completely.

Column 5 line 26, .reflexed. should read "refluxed". Column 5, line 65, delete the word "a" before "1 hour".

Column 5, line 74, ...oragnic... should read "organic".

Column 6, line 5, delete (percent) Column 6, line 6, delete (percent) Column 6, line 11, insert the word "hydride" following sodium at the end of the line.

Column 6, line 68 (Claim 1, first structure) .R-CHO. should read "RCHO" Column 7, line 25, ...-l40C. should read "-40C.".

Signed and sealed this 13th day of April 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCHER,JR. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR. Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

